The former player: 'I really hoped to continue playing'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.
"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially overlooked for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.
"I've had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.
"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
